DETROIT LIONS: Matthew Stafford on pace for 5,000 yards again

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) signals during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

ALLEN PARK — Perhaps Matthew Stafford’s 10 interceptions in the last five games, have blemished his season so far.

That’s a shame because the Detroit Lions quarterback is on pace for 5,000 passing yards for the second time in his three healthy seasons.

It’s a feat only reached by three other NFL quarterbacks ever. They are kind of big deals — Drew Brees (2008, 2011, 1012), Dan Marino (1984) and Tom Brady (2011.

Stafford did it in 2011 reaching 5,038 and fell 33 yards short last season despite the Lions 4-12 record.

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After a dozen games he’s on pace for 5,099 yards.

“There’s a few guys doing it, maybe a little more, but I can name the guys that have been doing it the last couple years,’’ Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said.” We throw the ball, but to be successful consistently being able to put up those kinds of numbers says a lot about his ability to operate as a passer in an offense like ours.’’

Of course Stafford has help.

“And we have players to throw the ball to,’’ Linehan said. “As long as it’s helping us win games, that’s when it’s important. I really believe Matt’s playing at a high level for us and has been since he’s been here. I think he’s having a great season.”

Stafford and the Lions (7-5) are preparing to play the Eagles (7-5) in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Comparatively, Stafford ranks third in the NFL with 27 passing touchdowns. Peyton Manning (41) is first with Drew Brees (29) second. Stafford is second to Manning in total yards and also second to him in yards per game.

Pretty good company.

Even though he didn’t have his season-high in yardage, he is coming off one of his best games in the win over the Packers on Thanksgiving when he had three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. It was the second highest net yardage (561) for the Lions this season.

Two fumbles were lost in the first half (Reggie Bush and Stafford while being sacked) and the interceptions came in the second and early in the third quarters.

“Shaun Hill actually came up to me after the second or third (turnover) and said, ‘Terrible luck, but you’re in the zone. Keep throwing it.’ I felt like I was throwing the ball great and where I wanted to,’’ Stafford said. “... I just wanted to keep throwing and keep making plays. I wanted to stay aggressive. Coach (Scott) Linehan didn’t pack off the pedal and it happens. Sometimes they come in bunches. You have to move on from them. Our defense did a great job of keeping us in it early so we could build on that lead late.”

He wasn’t going to let the Packers back in the game by playing tentative, that’s just not his style.

“I was going to stay aggressive,’’ Stafford said. “We made some plays and that’s the name of the game.”

Aggressive quarterbacks throw interceptions. The good ones throw enough touchdowns to make up for the picks.

Stafford is on that track.

Debate among yourselves if he is one of the NFL’s elite.

When it comes to yardage he’s right up there among the league’s best.

If he could engineer a playoff win or two, his stock would soar higher.

About the Author

Paula Pasche is a longtime sports writer for The Oakland Press and blogs at http://oplions.blogspot.com/. Author of book, "100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Follow on Tout and Twitter @paulapasche. Reach the author at paula.pasche@oakpress.com
or follow Paula on Twitter: @PaulaPasche.